Minnesota Governing Body Information

2018 Marijuana Packaging Laws Update

The North Star State was a forerunner in decriminalization with legislation in 1976 allowing adults to possess small amounts without a criminal charge, only a civil fine. Minnesota became the 15th state to allow for medical marijuana with legislation called Senate Bill 2470 passed in 2014. With this law, the state allowed people with one of only nine qualifying diseases to apply for medical marijuana licenses.

That said, there are still cannabis possession laws in Minnesota if you are not an official card holder with Minnesota Medical Marijuana Program. Taking into account old relaxed laws, the acceptable amount of cannabis a person over 21 years of age can possess in the state of Minnesota is 1.5 oz, or precisely 42.5 grams. With this amount or under you incur a misdemeanor and petty fine. If you are caught with more than that, everything from felony charges to three months incarceration.

Medical Cannabis Laws in Minnesota

It all began with then-governor signing into law the ability of patients to receive medical cannabis, but only if they had one of only nine severe diseases: ALS, glaucoma, AIDS or HIV, cancer, Crohn’s Disease, severe epilepsy, or Tourette’s syndrome. This list was expanded ith later legislation to include 13 disorders, such as “intractable pain,” and post-traumatic stress disorder. Those patients must have a card, keep up registration of that card, and affix certain stamps to their medical cannabis products.

Retail Cannabis Business Rules for the North Star State

While it does seem that Minnesota has strict laws surrounding medical marijuana, eager new medical businesses must remember that laws are evolving every day. It’s important to stay in touch with what’s new. If you do so, you will see the laws decriminalize cannabis in a similar manner: first for possession, then a tightly controlled medical cannabis program, and then a more relaxed medical program, and then decriminalization for medical use. Get ahead of the curve and find the best packaging for your cannabis products to be sold in the North Star State.

2017 Marijuana Packaging Laws Update

The North Star State legalized cannabis for medical purposes. The state’s Department of Health runs their Medical Cannabis Program, which set all the rules for registering patients and caregivers, dispensaries, and healthcare professionals. They have passed thorough guidelines for medical marijuana labeling and packaging for sale. They require that the packaging isn’t appealing to children as well as unable to be opened by them. It also needs to be “plain,” without anything but the name and logo of the company, and tamper evident. Their labeling requirements are also very specific and emphasize official medical marijuana registration information of both the patient and manufacturer of the product. In addition to full ingredient and dosage lists, they require text warning of side effects and use by children. For the full text, read this excerpt from the Minnesota Statutes on Cannabis Packaging and Labeling:

(2) the name and date of birth of the designated registered caregiver, if applicable;

(3) the name of the patient’s parent or legal guardian, if listed on the registry verification, if applicable;

(4) the patient’s address;

(5) the name and address of the medical cannabis manufacturer where the medical cannabis was manufactured;

(6) the medical cannabis’s chemical composition;

(7) the recommended dosage;

(8) directions for use of the product;

(9) all ingredients of the product shown with common or usual names, including any colors, artificial flavors, and preservatives, listed in descending order by the predominance of weight;

(10) the date of manufacture and batch number;

(11) a notice with the statement, including capitalization: “This product has not been analyzed or approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration. There is limited information on the side effects of using this product, and there may be associated health risks. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery when under the influence of this product. KEEP THIS PRODUCT OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.”; and

(12) a notice with the statement: “This medical cannabis is for therapeutic use only. Diversion of this product is unlawful and may result in the revocation of the patient’s registration.”

Labeling text must not include any false or misleading statements regarding health or physical benefits to the patient.

A package may contain multiple labels if the information required by this part is not obstructed.”